Human Resources & Workforce Diversity

UW System Administration, Human Resources Services

CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT

Applicants for Classified Civil Service employment in the State of Wisconsin are required to take an examination for each Civil Service classification that they are interested in. Exams and vacant positions are posted in the State Service Wisc.Jobs Bulletin. The exams create pools of qualified candidates that are used by all State of Wisconsin government agencies, including the University of Wisconsin System. The bulletin is published each month and can be found at state office buildings and personnel offices, Job Service offices, post-secondary school placement offices, county government offices, and many public libraries.

GENERAL INFORMATION

HOW CAN I GET A STATE JOB? Most jobs in state service require an application and an examination to measure your qualifications. Depending on the type of job, the exam may be a written multiple choice or essay test, a rating of training and experience, a performance test, an oral exam, or some combination of these or other types of exams

HOW DO I APPLY? Application requirements vary for different jobs. Each job listed in the Current Wisc.Jobs Bulletin includes specific application instructions. Follow them closely. For jobs requiring a written examination, report to the test location listed in the announcement, on the date listed. Bring your completed application with you. You may take more than one exam, but you must complete all tests in the four hours that the test center is open.When applying for State Civil Service positions, please keep the following in mind:

  1. Follow the directions specifically outlined in the Wisc.Jobs Bulletin.
  2. If a written exam is required, you do not need to apply in advance. Simply report to the testing location on the date listed in the announcement and submit your Application for State Employment. There is no charge to take a Civil Service examination.
  3. If you are interested in positions in any classification which have a typing/word processing/keyboarding speed and accuracy requirement, you must take a typing test at the nearest Wisconsin Job Service office which offers the typing test. Be sure to call ahead to schedule your typing test. This score will be good indefinitely.
  4. Custodian 2 positions are filled by random lottery. An ad in area newspapers and a COB announcement will be published when applications are being accepted. Eligibility is established by submitting an Application for State Employment by the deadline.
  5. Pay special attention to Statewide listings. The employment lists developed from "Statewide" exams will be used by all State agencies for the next six to twelve months.
  6. Programs have been designed to assist handicapped individuals in obtaining employment (see the state application form for explanation or programs.) To determine if you are eligible to apply for these programs, contact the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN A STATE APPLICATION FORM? You can obtain the Application for State Employment form (OSER-MRS-38) from most state offices, college placement or personnel offices, Wisconsin State Job Services offices, and many public libraries and community organizations.

HOW CAN I IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS WHERE I WISH TO WORK? Vacancies can occur throughout Wisconsin or only in certain locations. Each announcement lists the areas where vacancies are anticipated. You will only be considered for jobs in the locations where you state you will work (Question #18 on the Applications). Do not check any area unless you are sure you will accept a job there. If you turn down an interview or offer, your name may be removed from the employment list.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EXAM? You will receive a Notice of Examination Results several weeks after your exam. For each title in this bulletin, a list will be created of applicants who pass the exam and are eligible to be interviewed. Only applicants who score the highest may be interviewed or receive further consideration. As positions are filled, more names will be provided and we will move further down the list of eligible applicants. Employment lists are normally used for 6 to 12 months. More examinations may be scheduled if names need to be added to the employment list.

EXAM SCORE REUSE: Your score on an exam is valid for six months from your test date. You may take the exam when it is offered again after six months. If the same exam is offered within six months from your last test date, you cannot take the exam. If this happens, however, you can request to reuse your original score for six more months. If you reuse your score, it will be valid for six months from the register date listed on the new Notice that you will receive several weeks after your request. This Notice will show your reused score along with your current rank on the employment list. To request reuse of a score, send in a completed Application (DER-MRS-38) with "REUSE" written across the top, no later than one day before the exam date listed in the announcement. Send your request to DMRS; P.O. Box 7855; Madison, WI 53707-7855.

WHO DO I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION? Call the University of Wisconsin System Administration Human Resources Office at (608)263-4390 if you have questions or need more information.

***IMPORTANT NOTICE***

Many positions which involve typing now require typing proficiency testing. If you wish to be considered for positions in any classification which have a typing speed and accuracy requirement, you must take a typing test. You must type at least 45 good words per minute to be eligible. Please call ahead to the nearest Wisconsin Job Service office which offers the typing test to schedule an appointment. Some classifications which may have this requirement include, but are not limited to:

  • Clerical Assistants
  • Clerical Supervisors
  • Data Entry Operators
  • Data Entry Supervisors
  • Employment Security Assistants
  • Job Service Associates, Legal Assistants
  • Legal Secretaries
  • Library Services Assistants
  • Library Services Coordinators
  • Motor Vehicle Representatives
  • Personnel Assistants
  • Police Communications Operators
  • Program Assistants
  • Program Assistant Supervisors
  • Secretaries
  • Secretary Supervisors
  • Tax Representative Assistants
  • Technical Typists
  • Telephone Operators
  • Typesetting System Input Operators
  • Typist
  • Unemployment Compensation Associates
  • Word Processing Operators
  • Word Processing Supervisors.

NOTE: NOT ALL POSITIONS IN THESE CLASSIFICATIONS REQUIRE TYPING ABILITY. You may take the typing test at any time, before or after the civil service examination date. We recommend, however, that you take the test before the exam date to be sure you don't miss out on any opportunities that exist when the register is created. Your results will remain on file as a pass/fail until further notice. Registers are not created from the typing test. This is merely a qualification attached to your applicant record and used in conjunction with a civil service exam to identify applicants who possess typing ability. If you do not pass the typing test with a minimum of 45 words per minute, you may make arrangements with Job Service to reschedule another test. If necessary, please seek additional training or practice before taking the test again; the typing test should not be considered a practice session. If you know someone who would be interested in this information, please share it with him or her.

Thank you for your interest in employment at the University of Wisconsin System Administration.

 

This document was created by UWSA Office of Human Resources and Workforce Diversity.

This document was last revised on December 16, 2011 .